"Alright, so this is what your gonna do, you're gonna stand there like a man until Eacker is in front of you.", said Dad.
"I can do that... I think.", I hesitated,"Maybe I should just call the duel off?", I suggested.
"No, trust me", he said, " When the time comes, fire your weapon in the air, this will put an end to the whole affair."
"Dad i'm scared... I don't think I should do this!", I said.
"This will put an end to the whole affair.", he said again.
"Like you know anything about ending affairs!", I muttered under my breath. He frowned.
"What if he decides to shoot?", I asked, "I'd be a goner!"
"No, trust me, he'll follow suit if he's truly a man of honor."
"Ok pops, I won't let you down, thanks.", I said. I could feel my nervousness start to cease.
"Trust me, don't shoot. You'll regret it.", he said. I nodded.
"Promise?"
"Yes, pops!"
"Ok."
Weehawken, Dawn, Guns, Drawn.
"Everything's Legal In Jersey"
I walked up and down the terrain.
"Call it off!", I told myself.
"No, I can't", "I'm making my father proud."
I walked up and down the terrain again, Eacker was late. Did he forfeit?
Nope.
I saw a glimpse of him from a distance.
"Don't shoot."
"Trust me."
"This will end the whole affair."
They put us in our paces, and they started to count to ten.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7-
That's when I felt something hit me. Pain, it was pain. I let out a whimper. I could feel the bullet in me, tearing up my veins. I fell to the ground. No, it can't end like this. I clenched my teeth. No... I couldn't move. I lost. My eyes closed. I moaned and tried my hardest to get up. My throat clogged up. Tears streaming down my face. It can't end like this.
I opened my eyes again, refusing to die. I could see him right in front of me. He looked down at me.
I managed to let out a word. "..Ch-cheater..."
"Well, it's over.", he said and put up his pistol. "It's too bad you father's advice got you shot.", he said.
He cussed at me, then kicked my side. I was left defenseless. I watched as the doctor pushed him away from me.
No.. I was making my dad proud. George Eacker turned around and started to walk away.
No...
NO.
I managed to roll over and grab my pistol. Before he shot me, I aimed my pistol in the sky, but it never fired, which meant the bullet was still in there.
Un deux trois ca-
I couldn't breathe, and my throat was so clogged out I figured those were going to be my last words.
I shot him between his ribs. He didn't see it coming.
"What the-"
He didn't finish his sentence. I watched as he fell to the ground.
I was proud.
But at the same time, guilty.
"I'm sorry, pops."
That's when my head tilted down, and I blacked out.
I woke up in a hospital. I wasn't dead... yet.
I couldn't talk.
I thought of a new poem in my head.
My name is Phillip
I am a poet
I'm gonna go to heaven
Because Eacker, can only count to seven.
I heard a familiar voice. Could it be? No. He can't be here.
"WHERE IS MY SON?", I heard my father shout.
I disappointed him. Not only did I lose, I also shot him.
He walked in, but I closed my eyes. I couldn't see him, I couldn't look at his disappointed face.
I started to speak, but it was more of a mumble. "I'm so-"
"Shh.", his voice was cracking.
I managed to open my eyes, and my father's face swam into view.
He was trying not to sob, I could tell. I never seen him so sad.
"Dad I sho-"
'Shh"
"Are you mad?"
"Phillip save your strength.", he said, shushing me again.
I started to sob. I messed up.
"I love you", I said, still crying.
For once he didn't shush me. "I love you too."